Canine nurse Connie to the rescue

Connie, an 11-month-old Newfoundland pup, proved herself invaluable to Hazel Carter, 67, of Riverside, after she was left virtually bed-bound with a back injury.

Mrs Carter, a part-time animal behaviourist, said: 'I was in a really awful state, in terrible pain and in and out of hospital all the time.

'I started off teaching Connie basic skills like picking things off floor and bringing them to me, and now she does everything from taking off my socks to bringing her own food bowl from the cupboard at feeding time and then bringing it back to me when she has finished eating.'

Connie's other amazing tricks include loading and unloading the washing machine.

The perfect pooch's skills have backfired only once, when Hazel dropped a kitchen knife on the floor. Hazel said: 'The dog thought it was part of a game and I ended up chasing her all over the utility room, while she ran around with the blade swinging about wildly.'

Mrs Carter describes Connie as her friend, guardian and helper and says she hopes her experiences will encourage other pensioners or people with disabilities to consider training a dog to help around the house.

She added: 'It is just about constantly teaching new skills and rewarding them for it. Dogs love to work and keep their minds active so it benefits everyone.'